Understand

Ingolstadt is the youngest city in Germany. Although it counts over 120000 citizens today, some people still call it a village, since it can't keep up with the big city charme of Nuremberg and Munich.

In the past Ingolstadt was mainly known for hosting the first Bavarian University and its military fortress facilities. The latter is the reason, why some citizens of Ingolstadt still call each other Schanzer (from verschanzen: to fortify).

Get in

By plane

Munich Airport is one of the closest airports to Ingolstadt, By train Munich Hauptbahnhof (Main station) is about 35 minutes away from Ingolstadt and the journey costs approximately €17. Since one has to go first to the central station in Munich by S-bahn (about 1 hour) and then change connection there and get on a train to Ingolstadt (another hour ride) it is a lot quicker and more convenient to take the bus. But, if you are a party of up to 5 people and travel on a tight budget after 9 a.m. you may consider taking the train - for there exists a cheap ticket (bayernticket) for 29 Euros for up to five persons which is valid for the S-bahn, the train and also some buses. (be aware: you can not take a ICE or IC train with that ticket!).

From Munich Airport there is a bus called "Airport Express X109". A one-way ticket is 19 Euros and a return ticket 31 Euros. The bus takes about an hour to the center of Ingolstadt, stopping there at the central bus station (ZOB). It leaves every day at 5:15 6:45 8:15 9:45 11:15 12:45 14:15 15:45 17:15 18:45 20:15 21:45 0:15 o´clock at Terminal 2 E 03, passing by Terminal 1 Bereich A/B three minutes later and at the Airport Center (MAC) another 4 minutes later. More information can be obtained under http://www.invg.de/fahrplan/2010/X109_2010.pdf

Nuremberg airport is also rather close by and can be reached easily by train and subway . From the airport you take the subway "U2 " to Nürnberg Hbf(U-Bahn) (=central station). The ride takes some 13 minutes. There you change to a train (another 40 minutes ride to Ingolstadt).

By train

The main station is Ingolstadt Hauptbahnhof (HBF) and the second main station of the city is Ingolstadt Nord

By car

Ingolstadt lies on the Autobahn A9 about halfway between Munich an Nuremberg with the exits Ingolstadt Nord (61) and Ingolstadt Süd (62).

By bus

Get around

by bus

In Ingolstadt a decent net of bus lines is operated by the INVG (Ingolstädter Verkehrsgesellschaft). All parts of the town and most of the sorrounding villages are reachable (Network Plan). During the day (05:00 - 21:00) you can catch a bus every 15 to 60 minutes. During the night, the service is reduced (Network Plan) and special night lines, recognizable by the letter 'N' proceeding their number are employed.

by taxi

Currently 105 Taxis are operating in Ingolstadt. Most of them are organized with in the Ingolstadt Taxi Central Office, where you can order a car by phone (+49 841 19410). Most of the drivers speak at least fragments of English and should know most of the Hotels, Clubs and ohters POIs in the city by name.

During the weekend night party rush hour however, you will have little luck getting a taxi by phone or on a taxi stand, especially when you try to get out of the city. In the latter case, try to move to the outskirts of the city in the direction of your destination. Most of the taxis will try to go back into the city and you have a bigger chance to intercept these on the outskirts than in the center. And even if you don't get one, your better off making pace in your direction than standing in the city center and waiting.

You can get to most places in town for about 10 to 15€. The drivers are normaly able to estimate the price quite well, but are legally required to charge exactly according price meter, callibrated by local authorities. When you leave the so called Pflichtfahrgebiet (area where the driver is obligated to accept passengers to), which covers the town an some of the sorrounding villages, you can negotiate a price with the driver.

by bike

A very good way to get around in Ingolstadt is to use a bike. Most of the main streets have bicycle lanes and you are able to get through parks an other areas you would have to go around by car. Remember to setup your bike for traffic safety though (especially with working front an back lights) and strictly follow traffic regulations. Bavarian police officers are very fussy about that. Getting a 100€ fine for driving over a red light with your bike in the middle of nowhere without anyone around except for the police man 500 meters behind you is common.

See

Museums

Bavarian Military Museum (Bayerisches Armeemuseum), Paradeplatz 4 & Klenzepark (In the ''Neues Schloss'' (lit. new castle) & Reduit Tilly), [1]. Tue-Sun 8:45-17:00. The museum is seperated into two locations. The Neues Schloss, a former duke's residence and part of the city wall, hosts a collection of military artifacts from different eras as well as a bunch of replicas. The Reduit Tilly, a part of the former state fortress in Klenze Park hosts a WWI exhibition. The latter is very instresting and structured museum, with exhibits and documents from the era and some short films which summarize the regarded history.Ticket 2.00€ to 4.50€.

Audi Forum and Museum Mobile, ☎+49 0800 - 2 83 44 44, [2]. The Audi Forum is a the part of the Audi facilities which is aimed at customers and interested people. There are high class restaurants, the Museum Mobile and it is the starting point for guided tours through the factory. The latter have to be booked with enough time in advance!

Do

Take a walk through the historical inner city. The oldest buildings date back to depth of the middle ages. Guided Tours are offered by the local tourist office.

Sports

Visit a game of the ERC Ingolstadt, Ingolstadts First League Ice Hockey Club. During Season there is normally one home game per week.

If you think the German Ice Hockey can't hold a candle to US or Canadian Ice Hockey, why don't you try football, Germany's national sport. Ingolstadt has a young professional club – Die Schanzer – which oscillates between second and third league.

Learn

Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt: The institute for business adminstration is located in Ingolstadt.

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

Kuchelbauer, Schäffbräustraße 11a (inner city), ☎+49 841 35512, [4]. Traditional Bavarian Cuisine. Around noon, there are special lunch offers. The Menu has pictures of the dishes, so even when you don't speak German and the staff's English is not enough for you, you could find a good bite to eat. The place is special because it is not only a restaurant, but also a beer museum. Everywhere around the dining room are old beer brewing utilities and exhibits about beer, for example a copy of the Reinheitsgebot.

Splurge

Drink

Ingolstadt has a long tradition of beer culture. The Bavarian Reinheitsgebot, which became the German purity law for beer later, has its origin in Ingolstadt in the year 1516. Also the Hallertau region, the worlds biggest hopes growing area, is just south. The four local breweries are Herrnbräu, Nordbräu, Westparkbräu 1516 and Schwalbenbräu. You can also get several other regional brands.

Around Whitsum and in autumn (usually the last week in September) the beer festival takes place. It's similar to the Munich Oktoberfest but smaller and a bit more traditional. During Lent you can get Starkbier like in most parts of Bavaria.

Beer gardens

Das Mo, Bergbräustraße 7 (Inner City), ☎+49 0841 33960, [5]. 9:30 - 24:00. A beer garden and pub in the inner city, often used as a meeting place for local students and other young folks. You can get traditional beer garden dishes in summer and a decent mix of cusine in winter. People also gather to watch sport events on the screens allocated over the area. A glas of beer (0.5l) is between 2 and 3€.

Kastaniengarten, Gutsstrasse 4 (Oberhaunstadt), ☎+49 841 55541, [6]. open form 16:00 during the week and 11:00 on weekends and holiday (closed tuesdays in winter). The traditional beer garden on the outskirts of town is popular among locals in the beer garden season. A remakable feature is, that you get a free tiny beer (0.1l) in the beer garden.

Antoniusschwaige, Antonius-Schwaige 47 (near inner city), ☎+49 841 32680, [7]. One of Ingolstadt's oldest beer gardens. It has a traditional self service area, where you can bring your own food and only have to buy the drinks. You can get fresh grilled food.

Bars

Sausalitos, Theresienstr. 31 - 85049 Ingolstadt (inner city), [8]. Local branch of a Mexican themed cocktail bar. Popular amoung local university students and younger people. Broad selection of drinks and snacks.

Swept away, Donaustraße 14 - 85049 Ingolstadt (inner city), [9]. Carribean themed cocktail bar an vegetarien restaurant. A great choice of beverage and dishes. Sometimes with live music (a varying entrance fee might be charged in that case). It has a chillout zone where you can relax on the floor on some cushions and a beer garden in front of the building for days with good weather. Google Maps.

Suxul, Theresienstr. 31 - 85049 Ingolstadt (inner city), [12]. Two floor dance club right next to resp. under Sausalitos. If you are into electronic music and meeting local party crowd, this club might be your best shot.

Maki, Johannesstr. - 85049 Ingolstadt (inner city), [13]. Mainly electronic music and hip hop. A benefit of this club for a more mature crowd than at Suxul. 5€.

Sleep

Budget

Youth Hostel Ingolstadt, Friedhofstr. 4 1/2 - 85049 Ingolstadt (near inner city, next to the university), ☎+49 841 305128-0, [14]. Old former fortress building with old military "charme". If you can live with long empty hallways that carry some noise, it's a cheap night of sleep. Membership in a Youth Hostel Association maybe required. Check ahead!17.40€ a night an upwards.

Mid-range

Hote Pius Hof, Gundekarstraße 4 - 85057 Ingolstadt (near Audi), [15]. Classic Hotel and restaurant. You can reach the Audi Forum and the rest of the Audi facilities with a comfortable walk.Rooms form 51€.

Hotel Hecht, Regensburger Str. 77 - 85055 Ingolstadt (outside of inner city), ☎+49 841 58507, [16]. A little bit outside of the inner city in a more calm area. A bus stop is directly in front of the house.Prices starting at 55€.

Splurge

Hotel Rappensbeger, Harderstrasse 3 - 85049 Ingolstadt (inner city), [17]. Highest rated hotel (4 stars) in the inner city and for the traveler who does not like to use his feet, there is a bus stop where most lines stop directly in front of the building.Rooms from around 90€.